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Kristy
07-26-2005, 09:13 AM
Pet owners seek justice for dog - By Crystal Beckett

When Gaylord, Ruth Ann and Mike Prather discovered their dog, Otis, a Maltese, had been shot and killed in a nearby yard, the Waynetown family wanted justice.
Suspecting a nearby neighbor of committing the crime, the Prathers gave information to the prosecuting attorney for consideration of charges.

Michelle Vorhees, sister to the dog’s owner, said there were witnesses and that they know who shot the dog. The family wants the person who did it to realize how much the pet meant to them.

“We want the person who lodged a bullet into a loving an innocent dog, to feel what the Prathers are feeling now,” Vorhees said. “Maybe you’ll think twice the next time you decide to pull the trigger.”

Otis, the dog, had to be euthanized because of his injuries. Mike Prather, the dog’s owner, said he did not want the dog to experience more pain due to someone’s petty carelessness with a gun.

Euthanization, a Greek word meaning “good death,” means a humane and dignified way to let a pet go. As peaceful and painless as the process may be for the animal, most pet owners are unprepared for what will happen at the veterinarians office. When faced with the unexpected reality of euthanization, some pet owners come away feeling unnecessarily traumatized and shocked, usually because the process wasn’t explained well.

The first thing that happens is the veterinarian technician shaves a small area, usually on a front leg, so a vein is easily visible and accessed. Some veterinarians, at this time, insert an IV catheter to simplify the procedure. Most veterinarians will inject a sedative prior to the euthanasia process. If this is done, the veterinarian will wait a few minutes for the sedative to take affect before beginning the euthanasia injection.

Euthanasia is completely painless for the pet — the sedative helps the animal relax. Once the sedative has taken affect, the veterinarian will give the pet an injection directly into the vein, or catheter if one is used, that will bring about a deep state of unconsciousness within a few seconds. This state of consciousness ceases brain activity, including the part of the brain that controls the cardiac and respiratory systems. The veterinarian will wait a few minutes following the injection before confirming the death of the pet.

“We want to ask all pet lovers to say a prayer for our parents, their dog, Cosmo, and our brother.” Michelle and Tami Vorhees said. “We want the person who committed this crime to be dealt with accordingly.”

http://www.journalreview.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=18719

fasteddie
07-26-2005, 08:42 PM
Anyone that shoots an innocent dog should be punished! That's reprehensible to kill like that, just SICK!!!

Kristy
07-26-2005, 09:00 PM
I completely agree.

Sassy's Mommy
07-28-2005, 04:01 PM
Ohmygosh, that is simply horrible. What is this world coming to? Neighbor or not, my head would spin around if anybody ever hurt my Sassy. I think this man should be thrown under the jail. Do these people not realize that shooting a little family pet is equivalent to shooting a child? I can not imagine the pain this family must be feeling. Our deepest sympathy for their loss.

Mystify79
07-28-2005, 05:36 PM
That absolutely disgusts me that anyone could do that. :(

clmaltese
08-14-2005, 05:54 PM
I have just read this and am also horrified! We have two fences around any area in our back that ours would be allowed in. I know the person responsible will have to answer for this one day, but not soon enough for me!
Cathy